R.A. Rajeev became Thane’s 25th municipal commissioner on Tuesday after he took charge from Nandakumar Jantre who had served as the civic chief for more than three years.

R.A. Rajeev became Thane’s 25th municipal commissioner on Tuesday after he took charge from Nandakumar Jantre who had served as the civic chief for more than three years.

Rajeev previously was the additional municipal commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and had spearheaded the Clean-Up Mumbai campaign.

While Rajeev refused to list his priorities saying he needed time to study the area’s issues first, he said Thane needs as much attention as Mumbai.

“New challenges come up every day in all urban conglomerations and we need to face them. The population is increasing. Thane’s quality of life is better than some suburbs in Mumbai. One has to take a holistic approach as a municipal commissioner,” said Rajeev.

A member of the 1987 batch of the Indian Administrative Services, Rajeev had taken up several solid waste projects in Mumbai.

With Thane lacking a dumping ground, Rajeev said scientific management of solid waste is essential.

“Solid waste management can be done only after understanding the local situation. We will have to see what are the solutions. We need scientific management of solid waste. Decentralised composting is the answer to garbage disposal as 60 per cent of household garbage is biodegradable. But not everyone does it because of space constraints and other reasons. So a dumping ground is needed,” said Rajeev.

He also identified illegal construction as an issue that needs attention.

“When it comes to illegal constructions, there are slums and illegal buildings. You cannot just take a bulldozer and raze them down. There is a human aspect involved. But we need to take stern action against those involved. No one should be pardoned, no matter how big or small a builder. The media should not glorify demolitions as it demoralises the officials who take the action. Media’s role is critical and crucial,” said Rajeev.